Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10 digital SLR camera review : Panasonic carefully made a start with their first digital SLR camera. The L1 was mainly meant to gain some experience in this class and to establish a name as DSLR supplier. No high production figures were expected and the L1 found itself in the top segment straight away. The wilful camera gained both honour and criticism at the same time and Panasonic's serious attempt with a DSLR was obvious. Great potency showed from the start.

Panasonic L10 - Live View with free-angle LCD screen
The second digital SLR camera Panasonic introduced, the L10, is a lot less modest. The appearance might have become more conservative, but that is only the cover of what may be looked upon as a real revolution. Panasonic is redefining the DSLR with the Lumix L10. At the time the L1 got introduced, together with the Olympus E-330, we were somewhat scornful about the Live View function. Most of us, definitely including me, doubted if Live View was of any use on a digital SLR. We know better now; Live View is on its way to become a standard option on the new generation digital SLR cameras. However, Panasonic is now far ahead of the brands already applying Live View. The Panasonic DMC-L10 offers Live View on a free-angle LCD screen inclusive face detection. This is what we call revolutionary. It will definitely change photographing. Of course we have been able to get used to a free-angle screen on digital compact cameras, where they seem to disappear again, but the enhanced possibilities and the improved image quality of a DSLR offer new perspectives.

Panasonic L10 - 10 Megapixel Live MOS sensor
The Panasonic Lumix L10 is clearly ranked below the L1 but does offer more pixels. No less than 10 Megapixels are found on the new Live MOS sensor. Of course the Panasonic L10 has been built according to the FourThirds System. A new lens has been introduced together with the camera, naturally equipped with Mega O.I.S. Like the L1, the Panasonic Lumix DMC L10 features a Leica kit lens with a zoom range of 14-50mm, equivalent of 28-100mm on a 35mm camera. The main difference is the light sensitivity. The new lens offers maximum aperture of f/3.8-5.6. This is about one stop less sensitive than the standard lens of the L1 but it does make the lens considerably less expensive. Mind you, the Panasonic L10 can only be purchased as a kit. After the purchase you can enhance the set endlessly with beautiful Leica optics and even with Olympus or Sigma lenses. That is the big advantage of the FourThirds System; you are no longer stuck with one brand as far as lenses are concerned.

Panasonic Lumix L10 SLR review
The Panasonic Lumix L10 processes all data through a Venus Engine III processor just like its bigger brother. The so-called film mode lets the user adjust it to his/her own taste. Just as in a film, you will get differences in contrast, colour range and gradation. And the image sensor obviously carries the Supersonic Wave Filter for dust reduction. I can imagine that this brief introduction of the Lumix L10 DSLR camera asks for more so move on to the Panasonic Lumix L10 review for comprehensive information.

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"After attending the press conference of Panasonic at the IFA 2007 I received a pre-production sample of the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10 digital SLR. I was able to shoot some pictures with the Panasonic L10 in the centre of Berlin and I have to say that after my hands-on experience with Panasonic’s new SLR I am positive surprised!"